Robert "Bob" Tharpe

Robert W. Tharpe, 72, of Laurel, Maryland, passed away on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at his home.

Born on July 17, 1947, in Laurel, MD, he was the son of the late William C. and Virginia B. Tharpe.

Bob was a 1965 graduate of Laurel High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland. During his lifetime, he was a member of the Laurel Rescue Squad, served on the Ivy Hill Cemetery Committee, and retired from the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab.  He was an active member of the Knights of Pythias, Laurel Lodge #155 and served as Chancellor Commander of Laurel Lodge and Grand Chancellor Commander of Maryland.

Bob loved hunting and fishing on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and hunting wild game throughout the country.  When he wasn’t hunting and fishing, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at Lake Anna, Virginia, or sitting on his porch enjoying all who stopped for a visit. He was known and loved for his sense of humor and making people laugh.

His family was of utmost importance to him, and he was very close with his siblings, cousins and his beloved nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his sister, Virginia Tharpe and husband Kenneth Ehrlich; brother, Gary Tharpe and wife Lisa; Fiancée Julie Smith; six nieces and nephews, Kenneth and John Fairall, Sara Ehrlich Roberts, and Jessica, Cody and Luke Tharpe; four great nephews and nieces, Justin, Rebecca, and Diana Fairall, and Landon Roberts.  

Bob was preceded in death by wife, Helen O’Donnell Tharpe; sister, Joanne Fairall; and brother, William C. Tharpe, Jr.  

The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Sunday, September 15, at Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A. 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, MD.  A Knights of Pythias Memorial Service will begin at 7:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held Monday, September 16, at 10:00 am at Donaldson Funeral Home.

Interment will be at Ivy Hill Cemetery, Laurel, MD, immediately following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Knights of Pythias, Laurel Lodge #155, 620 Montgomery Street, Laurel, MD 20707 or to the Wheelin’ Sportsman Program (send to Bay Shore Gobblers c/o Dean Ennis, 1601 Market St. Pocomoke City, MD 21851).

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